No flowers, no leaves,
No birds, no bees,
No sun - no-Vember!

I must confess that's how I used to think of this month ~ full of negatives~ dark & foggy; damp & dripping; dead & depressing and still a long long way to Christmas!

But - IT STRIKES ME, that lately, my attitude has been changing - all due ti the dear old Anglican Church!

When did they invent Kingdom Season? I've known for some time that the last Sunday before Advent is the Feast of Christ the King, but only fairly recently did I realise there was a whole season preceeding it, lasting the whole of November.

Now that definitely takes things to a higher level - in anticipation of things to come, and to provide a framework for the November "Special days" for here we have a glimpse of God's larger canvas, the culmination of all things at the end time, to which the whole Bible is pointing. We are working towards the coming of God's Kingdom, in justice, peace & joy - of which the Nativity of Christ was a supremely key event.

On this wide canvas, we can see the importance of the feast of All Saints - remembering and honouring God's special people who have shown us what it takes to be part of "bringing in the kingdom" and who already have their reward. Similarly with All Souls, and Remembrance - tide, living and departed, in working for God's reign of peace - and that for some, it has definitely not been an easy option.

"Thy Kingdom Come" we pray, "thy will be done on earth, as it (already) is in heaven." So perhaps, now, e can see that we are a very special and privileged people, chosen and charged by God to "work towards" bringing his Kingdom nearer and nearer, in whatever way He directs, and I believe that includes organising our lives and out church activities to reflect, and therefore communicate the peace and joy and love of the heavenly Kingdom, to everyone we come in contact with.

So, I ask myself, and everyone else a question. Is there anything in my lifestyle, attitude or home environment that is not honouring to God? Are there any adjustments or changes I can make here to bring God's Kingdom closer? How much do we care about our environment, and about each other, knowing that they are God's gifts, and that being gratefully received, and thoughtfully cared for can be a small foretaste of God's Kingdom for us in Slade Green? The ancient collect puts it very succinctly when it asks God to "Stir up the wills of your faithful people, that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works may by You be plenteously rewarded"

So lets be honouring to God in everything we think, or do, or organise.

What a wonderful way to enter Advent, expectant and ready to receive the Christ-child again, and realising how important God thinks we are, to take such a risk with his only Son. It powerfully shows us thatHe really does love us - and in the spirit of the popular advert -
"because we're worth it"

May this thought take us humbly and joyfully towards " the crowning of the year", and we know that Ann, our new vicar is going to be a great gift and help in our preparations.

Ann - we welcome you as our team leader and we are looking forward to your input!

Let's all keep alive and alert throughout this exciting season.

~ And keep singing!

Margaret C

1st November 2005